First let's take a look at my blurred vision. This is almost a constant, especially since my first hospital stay... It has not got any better... Usually it clears up quite a bit after a steroid treatment but not this time... I got used to it after a while but now it is way worse!
Glasses help a bit but as you can see things are still a little blurry even with them on. For most people this issue is caused by inflammation along the optic nerves, this is called optic neuritis and is one of the most common symptoms among MS Patients. For me, at least the last time I had an eye exam, there is nothing wrong with my optic nerves but instead there is a lesion on my brain where the signals from the optic nerves are sent. That could have changed though, need to get back in to find out!
What has never, ever, gone away for me is a blind spot in the left of my peripheral vision. Things just kind of fade away when they enter this spot... They disappear... Makes driving a little scary sometimes! When I COULD drive (since I can't right now) I had to make sure I constantly scanned with my eyes so that I would never loose track of a car in my blind spot. It was a new way of looking at the world, literally! One again I adapted, changed, and it became second nature. In the above image you can see where my blind spot would be if I was looking at that center tack. Below you can get a taste of what driving against traffic is like if I do not scan.
Lastly I occasionally get double vision which I hate more than anything. Nothing helps! Sometimes covering one eyes helps (because the double vision can be caused by both eyes not focusing right on the same target) but sometimes the issue is in the brain... Double vision makes my dizziness worse and and sometimes makes me a little nauseated... Never thought I would have to wear an eye patch but I have! You can't wear it too long but I can not remember why at the moment. You can also get a prism put over one eye on you glasses if the issue is not going away...
Keep in mind, this is just my own experience with vision loss. It will be different with each person!
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteI went to my Neuro today and talked about a lot of stuff and he gives me about an hour, which is great. Although, I have to wait an hour past my appt. time, that is okay, because if he is just taking real time with each person, then GOOD on him.
I've read your last couple of posts and I am going to contemplate on them. You are in your early 20's, I am in my early 60's....we each have MS, with our own perspective and experience. But.....we also have our own perspective and experience, just being a human being in this life of ours.
It is so fascinating to me and so interesting and so important for people like us, with 40 years difference in age, to share our MS STORY and our live story because I know deeply, that all of us are ONE. Talking......to one another is really special and I'm thankful for that.
So, I will send you a message, when I can compile, what I hope will reach you and others.
Thanks Matt....I never did what you are doing....so GOOD on you!
We are all in this life together, for whatever reason....I do believe there is one.
Mary-Ellen
You might find some improvement in your vision through simple dietary changes. You can read about them here: http://www.whilesciencesleeps.com/monte-diet/
ReplyDeleteLots more great information here: http://www.whilesciencesleeps.com/multiple-sclerosis-the-solution/
Well Mary-Ellen, blogging was not an option till recently so don't feel bad, I was born into this technology! I'm just glad people read and feel helped!!
ReplyDeleteI will check out those links, I have been tweaking my diet since the start of 2012!
most of that looks normal to me :( no glasses but double vision
ReplyDeleteyeah, the "NEW normal". I really don't see most* of it anymore....
ReplyDeleteDude,
ReplyDeleteJust stumbled upon your blog after catching a hit from my Copaxone injection search. I was diagnosed in 2002 after I woke up and my legs were numb from the waist down. Full mobility, I just couldn't feel anything. Was put on Avonex and this years scan finally revealed the insidious creepy plaques on the brain. Fearing some Alzheimer type effects, my neuro put me on Copaxone. I start tomorrow. Anyway, just wanted to say you are not alone and keep up the work with the blog. I am sure it is therapeutic and certainly will help others. Cheers.
BW
Hey Matt, I totally understand what you mean. I have optic neuritis and have some permanent damage. Even with my glasses I can't see very good and YES I get double vision. Since I do have permanent damage however my vision gets WORSE and it happens when I'm reading. Doc told me that my body is saying to rest my eyes, so when it gets temporary worse, I have to wait awhile then it will go back ot the NORMAL eye blurry vision. I hear your frustration my friend. Is there anything that will make it worse? Heat, Reading etc.?
ReplyDeleteThanks BW!
ReplyDeleteAnything that make it worse? Well... For me Heat and stress are my main triggers. Right now, this year, there seems to be no consistency though....
Hi Matt,
ReplyDeleteMy name is Doreen and Ihave M.S. to. I was diagnosed in 2002 and was put on Avonex right away. I had Vertigo and then relapsed into Optic Neuritis in Dec '02. That lasted 11 months, but my vision came back 100%, so yours can to. The lesion on my brain healed, so the sight restored. Now I've just started Copaxone a month ago after another exacerbation that hit my left side, arm, leg, torso relapsed Apr '11 . I'm getting better, slowly. I can walk now without a cane or a walker for the first time in 15 months. So, I know we are all different, but sometimes this horrible disease remits and you can be what you were? I also take Vitamin D, 8000 mil per day because my level was almost non existant. You've stated change of life style and that's the only way to do it! You'll be ok, so hang in there. As someone who thought I was done for as far as walking was concerned, I actually RAN for the first time this morning! So, just try to keep positive and thanks for your YT videos. Feel better and all the best. P.S. I'm 43 and healing and you can to.
I envy you on the running and everything. Man... Fingers crossed for both of us :^b
ReplyDeleteHi everyone
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering if anyone has been told that their eye pressure is high ? In the last year my eye pressure has been higher than what is normal , yet my field vision is perfect so I do not have glaucoma . I have a scar behind my eye but not on my optic nerve . I suffer headaches and face pain and have restless toes / feet , can't stop help but keep wiggling them . Doctor has never heard of it !
I am having a CT scan next week and wanted to know whether a CT scan would show MS scarring ?
No, you need an MRI... RLS sucks! Clonazepam helped me. Never had high eye pressure,
ReplyDelete